Bosma declined
to release specifics but said House and Senate budget negotiators have
worked out differences on major issues. Budget negotiators haven't signed
off on the proposal yet, however, and lawmakers planned a budget committee
meeting later Thursday to outline details of the $28 billion plan.

Republican
House Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Jeff Espich says the budget will give
schools slight funding increases and leave the state with more than $1
billion in reserves.

Lawmakers said
they were working on a hybrid plan to merge House and Senate plans on what
to do with any extra state money. The House wanted a taxpayer refund,
while the Senate wanted to pay down unfunded pension liabilities.